Senior British Champions Crowned at Sheffield

It was another action packed, adrenaline-fuelled day at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield as over 300 judoka again descended on the Arena, eager to impress and to take home the title of British Champion!

Under the eyes of the GB Performance Squad and Rio Bronze Medalist Sally Conway, 14 different weight categories competed with potential places on Team GB at stake.

Following yesterday’s medal ceremonies, a large percentage of Junior winners wished to test their skills against the Seniors with a number performing admirably. Neil MacDonald, yesterday’s U66kg Champion, qualified for the 2nd round of the same weight today but could not make it through the Second Round Pool Stage.

Acelya Toprak, however, won Gold for a second consecutive day securing a fantastic Junior and Senior double over the weekend! Walsall-based top seed in the Lucy Renshall also eased to the U63kg title.

The day even attracted entrants from the Rio Olympics, with Team GB athletes Colin Oates and Ben Fletcher entering. Colin was making the step up two weight categories to U81kg and both displayed fantastic judo throughout the day. Colin breezed through the pool stages, with one contest in particular lasting just seven seconds. Both came away with Gold Medals in their weight categories. Colin Oates defeated an inspired Owen Livesey as a single Wazari separated the two once time had expired.

Team Bath scooped a well-deserved five medals on the day in the male section of the draw with medals for Renz Vallejera (Gold – U60kg), Adam Conroy (U60kg – Bronze), Gregg Varey (Silver – U66kg), Ben Fletcher (Gold – U100kg), Conor Murphy (Bronze – O100kg) respectively.

Female Senior British Champions: